Video assistant referee Shaun Evans has been cleared by FIFA following an investigation into a controversial hand gesture he made during a World Cup broadcast. The Australian official stated that the movement was an "involuntary, subconscious twitch" and that he was "unaware" of making it, vehemently denying any intention to convey a specific message or affiliation.
The incident occurred during the pre-match coverage for Germany's 7-1 victory over Curacao on Sunday. As FIFA's global feed cut to a shot of the VAR team at the referee hub in Dallas, Evans was seen forming an upside-down 'OK' sign with his right hand. This gesture immediately drew significant attention on social media, largely due to its dual interpretations: one being a harmless component of a 'circle game' meme, and the other, more concerningly, having been adopted by some far-right groups as a 'white power' symbol since 2017.
In a statement issued by FIFA, Evans expressed his regret for how the gesture had been interpreted. He clarified, "I want to be very clear and categorically say that I did not knowingly or deliberately make the hand symbol suggested." He added that the subsequent media coverage did not reflect his character. FIFA confirmed that after a thorough review, they found "no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code," allowing Evans to remain available for selection for the remainder of the tournament.
Evans further explained that video evidence from the VAR room showed him repeating similar involuntary movements, including while holding a pen. He emphasised that officiating at the World Cup represents the pinnacle of his career and he looks forward to supporting his colleagues. Anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out had reportedly written to FIFA seeking clarification on the matter before the outcome of the investigation was announced.
Following the Germany-Curacao match, there was a noticeable shift in how VAR officials were presented during pre-match segments. Subsequent broadcasts showed officials already facing their monitors rather than briefly posing for the camera, although their names continued to be displayed on screen. This change suggests a response to the scrutiny generated by Evans's gesture, aiming to avoid similar controversies.